Ask An Army Spouse: PCS Move to Germany

byStacey AbleronJuly 13, 2010

Moving to Germany While He’s Deployed

My soldier and I got married on R&R, he is deployed to Afghanistan and will be returning to his duty station in Germany in November. We just found out that we got housing on base. I want to get there at least a month in advance to get the housing all set up for Homecoming.

I was wondering if that was even possible for a spouse to do that without their sponsor there. And also, if it is possible, how I would go about doing it. What would I need to do once I get to the base? I’m sure I would be informed of this once they know I’ll be there prior to Homecoming but I just don’t want to look like a fool.

******

It is possible for you to go over before he returns. However, it’s dependent on a few things. One, you need command sponsorship. This will include getting a passport and an EFMP exam. Two, if you aren’t included on his orders, the Army won’t pay for your move to Germany. You’ll have to foot the bill for your flight and moving any belongings (this assumes he moved belongings when he moved).

You can contact the FRG in Germany, the transportation office at the nearest post and/or the housing office in Germany for specific information.

Command Sponsorship in Germany

I have some concerns. My husband has been stationed in Baumholder, Germany for over 1 year and we started the paperwork for me to get over here since February. Now its the end of July and we just received the EFMP stamp approval. The next thing is that I’m currently in Baumholder visiting and I am wondering if with me being present will everything else such as getting housing and the command sponsorship move faster than they already have.

Also I have read some of the other post and notice that a “no fee passport” has been mentioned a few times. Being that I already have a passport, is that still an issue for me? He is also scheduled to go to the field pretty soon, so with him gone is that going to hold the process up any longer? I really would like things to move along now since I’m nearing the time where I won’t be able to travel anymore due to my pregnancy.

*****
The no-fee passport allows you to travel on military orders at the expense of the military. As you are aware, it is not generally valid for tourist travel (though I do know a few who have somehow used it for that as well – I wouldn’t advise it). Your husband would need to go to his command and complete all of the paperwork in order for your command sponsorship to be approved. It may very well go through more quickly because you are there though it shouldn’t have taken a year for this to be approved.

There’s a post on Living the Army Life that gives on perspective on gaining command sponsorship that may be helpful as well.

Timeline for Moving to Germany

Ok, my husband is currently in Germany. We were married on November 13th and he left a week later. I already have had the physical and all my papers have been submitted to EFMP, I have my military id card, does anyone know how long it usually will take for them to cut a soldier’s orders to come home to get his spouse and move his belongings?

*****
The entire process is generally 4-6 weeks which includes all of the paperwork and the processing that has to take place. However, he may not necessarily be able to return to travel back to Germany with you. In all likelihood, you will travel on your own and meet him in Germany since he is already there.

EFMP Exam for Germany

I am married and my husband is in Germany can I still go over to Germany with him even when I have Epilesy which are seizures and I take meds to control them or will he have to come back to the states and he really getting down about this I am starting to worry about him

*****
In order to be able to go to Germany with him, you will need to take an EFMP exam. This just determines if Germany has the medical facilities available to treat your condition and any complications that may arise from it. If they do not, many times orders will be changed to a duty station that can handle your medical situation. If you are not approved, he needs to speak with his chain of command.

Passport for PCSing to Germany

Okay, so I am VERY new to being a military wife. My husband came home from AIT a few months ago, & is now stationed in Schweinfurt Germany. He moved there in July. We got married when he was home after AIT. We are really on top of paperwork & getting me out there. I have contacted someone for getting my overseas screening paperwork filled out. I got it last week & sent it & should be there today. I am already enrolled in DEERS & have my military ID (we took care of it in June).

Also I was told I needed to have a passport, so instead of waiting for the Army to take care of it I went to the Post Office & had it expedited to me. So now I have that already. Once the lady receives my EFMP paperwork/ overseas screening packet etc. What happens next? I was told it is sent to somebody in Europe. Then my husband receives command sponsor orders, & he sets up a date for the movers to come & my plane ticket? Am I missing any check points I have to do? I’d appreciate the help since I’d like to get things rollin asap!

*****
Did you get a no-fee passport or a tourist passport? You will need the no-fee to travel on military orders and you will need the tourist passport for any leisure travel once you arrive. Other than that, it sounds like you are on top of things. Hopefully, the sponsorship will go through quickly and you can join your husband. Good luck!

Moving to Germany Before a Deployment

My husband is currently stationed in Vilseck, Germany. In April I was supposed to move with him and I decided to back out. He is going to be deployed in OPSEC weeks. Is it still to late for our daughter and I to move and will the army help us with the expenses. If we still could move… what would my husband need to do about getting us there ASAP?

*****
You will need to check with the transportation office about arranging the move for you. You will also need to make sure you and your daughter have EFMP exams and get no-fee passports before you travel to Germany.

The transportation office should be able to tell you everything you will need to do. As far as getting there before he deploys, it depends on how much of the prep work you already have done. I know some who have been able to make it work very quickly where with others, it took more than a month.

Fiance is Being Stationed in Germany

Hi I my boyfriend is in basic for infantry, they told him he will be stationed in Germany! So we were going to get engaged within the next year or so and I’d move where his base was then get married whenever (hadn’t planned that part yet). But everything is a little confusing now that he is going to Germany instead of staying in the USA.

I have no idea how I would move there or if I even should, plus I have 2 cats, and I’m guessing they don’t let cat’s in the houses/apartments on base. Any suggestions, advice, or how to dos would be appreciated.

******

In order to move to an overseas post, you will need command sponsorship. For Germany, this is a fairly simple process. You will need a EFMP physical to ensure that the medical facilities available in Germany can handle any medical issues that you may have. You will also need to apply for a no fee passport. This may take a few weeks to receive – it seems to vary for how long it takes to receive it.

Since you will be getting married after he has already moved to Germany, you won’t be included on his orders. Therefore, you will be responsible for your travel arrangements and moving expenses to Germany. When the next move comes around and you are on his orders, the Army will cover the costs of the move.

Other things to consider include getting your military ID after you get married and getting enrolled in Tricare. It sounds overwhelming but it really isn’t that bad.

You will be allowed to take your pets with you as the Army typically allows two pets to live in on post housing (with certain breed restrictions). As far as I can find, there is no quarantine required for taking pets into Germany but they must be up to date on all shots including rabies.

Good luck on it all!

Marrying a Soldier Stationed in Germany

I have a few questions…..Ok well let me start of with my fiancé is in basic training and will be done at the end of April. After graduation he will get to come home for about 2 weeks after those 2 weeks, he will be stationed in Germany for 2 years. When he comes back for those 2 weeks, we plan to get married. Okay my questions are when we are married will his pay increase?

I’m currently still in high school. I don’t plan to go to Germany with him until I graduate. Can I wait until I graduate to move with him to Germany? And around what time should we start the paper work for me to move to Germany with him if i want to leave right after graduation? What will I need to have and do before then? Basically I want all paper work done by June so I can leave to Germany as soon as possible!

We are both of legal age – I’m 18 and he’s 18 going on 19 in June and we are sure about getting married and me moving with him any where he goes, of course if the army allows me to do so. Any comments accepted no rude ones please and thank you!!!

*********

Hi,

In order to go to Germany with him, you will need command sponsorship. For Germany, this is not very difficult to obtain. The biggest consideration will be how much time he has left in Germany when you would like to join him. I would personally allow an absolute minimum of a month to get all of the paperwork together so you can move with him.

Also, if you were not originally on his orders to go to Germany, the Army will not pay for you to go to Germany (in almost all cases). You will need to plan ahead for this so you can cover any expenses associated with the move.

When you are married, his base pay does not increase. However, he does become eligible for either a housing allowance or housing on post. If you choose to stay in the states and he lives in the barracks or housing in Germany, it would be up to his commander whether he is granted geographical bachelor status which would enable him to have his housing paid for there and allow him to receive a housing allowance for you back in the states. Married soldiers are also granted BAS which is basically a food allowance.

Good luck with finishing high school and the move.

Good luck!

You may also be interested in:

About the author:Stacey is an Army wife of a soldier who joined in 2003. He has since been medically retired but she continues to provide information to Army wives and families to make their adjustment to the Army lifestyle easier.Connect with Stacey:FacebookTwitterPinterest

im not stationed in Germany but down in Vicenza, Italy. You need to wait for him to get you command sponsored. Which you have go though EFMP before that so they can check to see if they can treat you for any medical conditions you have. Tehn you have to wait for your orders to come down the line then you have to apply for your no fee passport (6 weeks which wont be rushed) then about 2 weeks for the german consulate to approve your visa which will will take them about 2 weeks. I was stuck in the states for about 2 months after my husband left for italy bc i got my orders jus before he left. Then the army will give a flight out of atlanta or houston dependin on where live in the states if you dont live near there you have to pay for your flight to the airport they fly you out of. Which is what i had to do. Honestly you best bet is to wait til he has everything in line you to come over instead of spending $4grand on a ticket out your pocket. Yes you will miss homecomin. he has to do the housin stuff anyway.

Are you near a base? Do you already have a passport? If it’s a yes then awesome your halfway there! Your going to need to have a POA to deal with housing. as for paying your own way to an airport that’s plain old balderdash! As long as you have orders stating that you are to command sponsored you You do have to apply for the no fee passport BUT you can fly on your own while it’s being processed. It’s been done trust me! The command sponsorship is whats going to take a minute they take their sweet time.. I’d get in contact with his rear-d and see how much you can do without him walking the paperwork through the office himself!

If you have housing I would assume you have command sponsorship? And you surely know his unit, so if I were in your shoes I’d be getting on contact with the unit FRL (family readiness liaison) and FRG (family readiness group), he should be able to get the contact info for you or get them to contact you. There are probably a lot of specific things about your post and it’s housing policy etc that will affect what you need to do.